SMG Network FAQ

See below for answers to frequently asked laptop configuration questions.

FAQ Topics

What is the SMG Active Directory (AD) Network?
How can a student obtain an SMG AD account?
What network resources are available to students?
What will configuring my laptop for SMG AD Network access allow me to do?
What if I choose not to configure my laptop for the SMG AD Network?

FAQ Answers

What is the SMG Active Directory (AD) Network?

Our Active Directory is an implementation of Microsoft's network directory service, a centralized system that simplifies management of user accounts and computing resources. At SMG, the AD allows users to use BU login names and Kerberos passwords to log in. A significant benefit is the unified sign-on (i.e., SMGportal, SMGtools, SMGnet, and computer labs all recognize your ACS login).

How can students obtain an SMG AD account?

Your AD login uses the same username/password combination that your ACS login uses. However, in order to take advantage of all the online resources that SMG offers, you must establish your identity on the SMG Active Directory, by completing the forms found at http://www.bu.edu/computing/accounts/ad/smg. (Note that you must first have a valid ACS login.)

What network resources are available to students?

File Storage and Sharing. With an SMG AD account you have access to several network directories

The (H:) drive is the Applications directory which stores programs that run off of the SMG Network.
The (Q:) drive is the Classnotes directory and contains files placed on the network by faculty and staff for communication with students. Students have read-only access to this directory.
The (S:) drive is the student Share directory to which all students taking SMG courses have read and write access. Any private or sensitive data should NEVER be written to this directory since all students can access these files. You can save up to 3 Mb of data files to this location.
Non-SMG students have access to the H, Q and S drives only.

Network Printing. Your SMG AD account allows you to print to the networked printers in the computer labs.

You will need an SMG AD account to take advantage of SMG network resources.

What will configuring my laptop for SMG AD access allow me to do?

Configuring your laptop for the SMG AD Network will allow you to access your network directories and print to the SMG network printers in the computer labs while in the SMG building.

What if I choose not to configure my laptop for the SMG AD Network?

You will still have basic networking functionality without it. Once you have configured your laptop for Internet connectivity, you are able to:

Browse the Internet, using Firefox or Internet Explorer.
Check your e-mail with a common email clients such as Outlook or Outlook Express or via BU Webmail.
Remotely access the SMG AD Network Drives. This can be done with any FTP software such as AbsoluteFTP. See User Guides for instructions.

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You can contact the ITS Helpdesk by emailing helpdesk@management.bu.edu
or calling 617-353-9858.